Papakowhai, Porirua

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1856 days ago

The sky is high, and the Emperor is far away.

Rhondda Sweetman from Plimmerton Rotary

This is an old Chinese proverb that tells us about the vastness of China and its unique system of government.
Our guest speaker last evening was Paul Wah, a prominent member of the Chinese community in Wellington. He is a fourth generation migrant, former Principal at Taita College, teacher of … View more
This is an old Chinese proverb that tells us about the vastness of China and its unique system of government.
Our guest speaker last evening was Paul Wah, a prominent member of the Chinese community in Wellington. He is a fourth generation migrant, former Principal at Taita College, teacher of President Euon, and long-time friend of Michael Parker.
It seems you can’t take China out of the Chinese. Paul has vigorously kept up his connections with China, visiting often and teaching English there for a year. His talk ranged over the China-NZ relationship and how he sees it developing.
He is ambivalent about modern China. Its growth has been spectacular, and is now of critical importance to us for trade and investment. It will be the world’s biggest economy by 2030.
China’s resurgence has caused friction with the USA, which complains, rightly, about product dumping and intellectual property theft. However, some of the blame lies with American corporates, who outsourced manufacturing and made joint venture deals which went sour.
The USA wants to slow down China’s growth and believes China’s system should incline towards the West, in terms of openness and democracy.
So now there is a trade war, which threatens our own position. Paul believes the NZ government’s neutral stance is correct, although we may become the meat in the sandwich. Our values and traditions are firmly with the west, but we should respect and learn from China. To do this we must know what makes China tick.
Paul gave us some useful insights into this. China is not a ‘nation state’ in the western sense, but a ‘civilisation state’ with a strong sense of unity and respect for its long history. These feelings stay alive in migrants, no matter how long ago they left their homeland.
The state in China is seen as the protector of the Han civilisation, and the power of the state has been in the hands of many dynasties over thousands of years, of which the Communist party is merely the latest example. As long as the Chinese government continues to raise living standards, there will be no real challenge to the power of the state and it will not be threatened by democratic pressures.
This all may seem rather odd to us, but our grandchildren should look north as well as west. If only the language was not so difficult….

P
1857 days ago

Teak Table and 6 chairs

Patricia from Papakowhai

Great condition and oval shape good for many room sizes. Chairs have been recovered. Needs a smidgeon of TLC as it has been it storage for a few years.

Price: $150

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1858 days ago

Poll: Should parents be fined if their children drop out of school?

Neighbourly.co.nz

The National Party is considering a policy of fining parents $3000 if their children drop out of school and don't enter further education or training.

Simon Bridges says "The reality is if you're not in work, education or training, you're going to be languishing in a dole … View more
The National Party is considering a policy of fining parents $3000 if their children drop out of school and don't enter further education or training.

Simon Bridges says "The reality is if you're not in work, education or training, you're going to be languishing in a dole queue, and the evidence is potentially for a long time". Do you agree with this policy? Should parents be fined?

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Should parents be fined if their children drop out of school?
  • 35.3% Yes - they are responsible for their children
    35.3% Complete
  • 25.9% It's not fair to assume they'll end up in the dole queue
    25.9% Complete
  • 38.8% No - it's not the parents' choice
    38.8% Complete
1509 votes
A
1859 days ago

KARORI LIONS SUPER GARDEN TRAIL

Anne from Whitby

23 & 24 November 10am to 4pm
Tickets @ $25 valid for both days
VISIT 12 LOVELY KARORI GARDENS, INCLUDING ZEALANDIA
Tickets and brochures available from all trail gardens on the day (cash only) or in advance at the following selected outlets from mid October:
• Mitre 10, Crofton Downs
•… View more
23 & 24 November 10am to 4pm
Tickets @ $25 valid for both days
VISIT 12 LOVELY KARORI GARDENS, INCLUDING ZEALANDIA
Tickets and brochures available from all trail gardens on the day (cash only) or in advance at the following selected outlets from mid October:
• Mitre 10, Crofton Downs
• Paper Plus Select, Karori Mall
• Marsden Books, Marsden Village, Karori
• Karori Arts and Crafts Centre, Karori
• Twigland, Johnsonville
• Palmers, Miramar
• California Home & Garden, Lower Hutt
• Harrisons Garden Centre, Waikanae
• Palmers, Plimmerton
> Children under 16 are free if accompanied by an adult.
> All proceeds are returned to the community. Wellington Free Ambulance is our major beneficiary for this event.
For more information go to www.supergardentrail.com...

C
1860 days ago

Mana Arts Society Workshop: Having fun with Oils

Carolina from Plimmerton

Saturday 19 October 10 am to 3 pm.
Details attached. Book now, limited places!

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1860 days ago

Recycle your unwanted mobile phones

NZ Telecommunications Forum

Spring is here so it’s time for your annual spring clean. If you’re anything like 69 percent of New Zealand households, you’ll have at least one unconnected mobile phone gathering dust in a drawer or cupboard.

Recycle these unwanted phones with RE:MOBILE.

RE:MOBILE is a not-for-profit … View more
Spring is here so it’s time for your annual spring clean. If you’re anything like 69 percent of New Zealand households, you’ll have at least one unconnected mobile phone gathering dust in a drawer or cupboard.

Recycle these unwanted phones with RE:MOBILE.

RE:MOBILE is a not-for-profit mobile phone recycling scheme which raises money for Sustainable Coastlines.

Recycling your mobile phone is free, easy and good for the environment. Not only does it keep harmful items out of landfill, it also stops the precious materials in your phone from going to waste.

Visit RE:MOBILE to find out how to recycle your mobile phone.
Learn more

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1862 days ago

Leather Lounge Suite looking for a new home

Glenn from Whitby

We're downsizing and have to make room for a smaller lounge suite. These black, real-leather couches - 2 and 3 seaters (one of each) are approx 4 years old and cost over $4k new. They are still in very good condition, and super comfy. Sizes: 2 seater – 1900 x 950 x 800mm high. 3 seater (can … View moreWe're downsizing and have to make room for a smaller lounge suite. These black, real-leather couches - 2 and 3 seaters (one of each) are approx 4 years old and cost over $4k new. They are still in very good condition, and super comfy. Sizes: 2 seater – 1900 x 950 x 800mm high. 3 seater (can sit 4 actually) – 2520 x 950 x 800mm. Who wants them? Happy to deliver free of charge within the Whitby, Porirua area.

Price: $1,500

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